Experimental ascaridiasis IV. Various aspects of ascarid behaviour within the organophenotes following experimental infection of chickens
Birová-Volosinovicová, V.
Folia Parasitologica 21(4): 319-328
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-5683 PMID: 4448433 Document Number: 82201
Chickens were infected with 200 (Group I), 500 (II) or 1,000 (III) infective eggs of Ascaridia galli and autopsied at intervals up to 27 days after infection; the small intestine was divided into 3 sections and the distribution and numbers of larvae within these sections as well as in the caeca and large intestine were noted. The total numbers of larvae recovered increased with the infective dose, but the percentage of the dose becoming established was highest in Group II (8.4%), followed by Groups I (6.0%) and III (4.5%). The counts in all 3 groups increased to a maximum at day 15 after infection, after which there were rapid falls in numbers. The highest counts during the period one to 10 days after infection were in Group III, during days 11 to 20 in Group II, and during days 21 to 27 in Group 1. The highest counts in all 3 groups occurred in the section of small intestine which included most of the jejunum; relatively low counts were found in the other sections. Movements both anteriorly and posteriorly were observed during the whole period of the experiment. Beyond day 14, larvae in the lumen grew more rapidly than those in the "mucosa". Larvae in Group I tended to be longer than those in Groups II and III; the growth curve showed a slight decrease at days 13 to 14 in all groups which was followed by a phase of accelerated growth. 2 moults of the larvae were observed, both occurring mainly in the paramucosa. The greatest number of 2nd moults occurred on days 8 and on days 14 to 18, and the greatest number of 3rd moults around day 17.